Pit Viper Bite Poisoning in Dogs

Treatment

First aid measures will include calming your dog and keeping it still, as activity can move the venom through the system more rapidly. Transporting the dog quickly to a veterinary facility is important. There, intravenous fluids can be given to correct low blood pressure; oxygen can be given for breathing difficulties; and transfusions given for severe clotting problems.

If you are sure that your dog is a victim of snakebite, you will need to make this known to your veterinarian so that anti-venom serums can be given. The faster they can be injected, the better chance your dog has of a full recovery. Snakebites are also at risk of infection, warranting antibiotics to prevent infection, and sterile dressings applied to the wound.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will want to repeat the laboratory analysis six hours after the initial treatment to make sure that your dog is progressing. The clinical signs may last as long as a week-and-a-half as your dog’s system recovers from the toxic reaction.